Stories From Jainism

Author(s): Mrugendramuni
Publisher: Jain Yoga Foundation

Page 65

One hot summer afternoon Sushama was waiting for her beloved's return for the mid-day meal. Chilatiputra came home and asked her for water. Sushama was moody, so she said tauntingly, "Haven't you friends to give you water?"
Dhandutta was in the house. He asked his daughter to close the doors on that day. It was meaningless to entertain an impolite person, thought Dhandutta.
The poor girl cried because of her father's harshness but her tears did not soothe the angry boy. He left her place without a drop of water and threatened to carry her away.
Then, one day, he returned to her place with an army of his supporters and friends. Thereupon everyone residing in the street was aghast at this sudden attack. They plundered her house and abducted her before the police could arrive to rescue the girl.
When Dhandutta came to know as to what had happened and realised that his daughter had been carried off by Chilatiputra to the forest, he at once followed him on horse-back with armed soldiers.
However, a storm arose and it began to rain. Lightning flashed. It was difficult to trace the absconders. Again, there were flashes of lightning and Chilatiputra found that he was being followed closely by a party of soldiers, led by Sushama's father.
Sushama fainted out of fear of being caught. Yet, her lover went on and on with her, through the dark forest. Finding the followers close on his heels, he killed Sushama with his sword out of desperation. Blood came out from her
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